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I actually dont mind balljoints and unit bearings. I like the ease of working on them compared to KP's and spindles. I dont think you'd be losing alot of strength with a F450 BJ compared to a king pin. But I dont really know, so wont say. As for unit bearings, they are pricy, but it beats having to tear aprt wheel bearings every time you get home because you wheel in wet muddy areas the majority of the time.

Kind of location thing on the unit bearings.

But if I went unit bearing, I'd prefer something more like a stock dodge one, that I can get anywhere, rather then special order.

I see this 609 thrown around here a lot, and it seems to be the new thing. What makes these a better axle? Only thing I know is that gearing options are pretty much unlimited with 9" centers. What else makes them better then a hp 60?

teraflex also makes 60 center sections. they have the crd 60 which has more clearance than and normal 60 as well as a shaved 60 housing. rockcrusher makes a housing but i'm not sure about them. i'm on the east coast and there a plenty and off road shops around here that make custom rears from all kinds of rears. they can also use junkyard housing as well. the one shop i used build a hp 44 from an f-250. he took the rear that he had. pressed out the tubes. installed thicker axles tubes. welded on new knuckles and perches and set the rears up. when i got my 60 built. i used tera shaved 60 in the front with crane knuckles 1/2" wall tubes the knuckles were king pins. the back got a crd60 with 1/2" wall tubes and disc brakes. it is also a full floater with drive flanges. you can almost build what ever you want. it only takes time and money

Our third member will fit anywhere a standard 3rd member will fit. I would call Brian at Twisted Customs 605-923-7288. They are buying the parts from Spidertrax and finishing complete axles from there.

I just had Rockcrusher build me a front D60. Their product is topnotch and customer service is fantastic. They can build with a variety of option's and build the best axle on the market IMO. I will be getting rid of my Pro Rock 60 in the rear and replacing it with a Rockcrusher D60 in 3 year's, as I like their stuff better....they use only the best in their build....Call and talk to Matt or John...

We just replaced a Rock Jock in a rear application with a Tera CRD because the RJ spun the aluminum housing on the steel tubes. Sheered all of the little set screws right off. That makes me super leery. The rig is a Stock class comp Jeep running 35" Krawlers so it was nothing crazy. Currie does not seem to get what strength is needed. They also spec'd out a front axle with stock D30 outers even after my customer told them it was for competition and price was not a limiting factor. We replaced that front with a Rock Crusher last year.

I liked the CRD housing over the Rock Crusher for some added features. I would say the CRD would be the way to go if weight is not a huge issue and you want to stay with a 60-type housing.

If weight is an issue, I would really recommend the Spidertrax stuff with some 60 outers. Some guys have been running these with great results and they are LIGHT. I think the strength is there if done right and I am leery about unit bearings, but apparently they are working right for people.

For the build of whatever you decide I would contact Doug at Extreme Axle Sales. He can get whatever you want done and is real tough to beat on prices and definitely not beatable on service.

If weight is an issue, I would really recommend the Spidertrax stuff with some 60 outers. Some guys have been running these with great results and they are LIGHT. I think the strength is there if done right and I am leery about unit bearings, but apparently they are working right for people.

Pretty sure this is the route Im going to take. Im going to start with the housings and build from there.

Im going to build myself. Just take my time, ask a lot of questions and do it right.

Weight is an issue, but strength is a must. I saw a few really good trusses on the spider 9 thread, and will probably mimic one of those.

A lot of mud around here, boat anchor axles really kill your performance on the trail unless you want to run monster truck rubber.

I have my own miller 210, plasma cutter and bender. As well as access to a tig across the street. No pro with fabbing, but getting better.

Thanks all for the help. I'll post another thread once I start building.

This is just my own speculation and observation, but from what I've seen out of 9's, I've seen a lot of blown cases caused by the increased gear deflection because of the angle of the pinion gear to the ring gear. Now maybe this is just with a stock case, but this has been the predominate failure that I've noted while being on this board and while browsing other places. Keep that in mind if you do go towards a 609, there's going to be money thrown into strengthening the case/pinion support, whatever.

How many 60 gearsets do we see blown to pieces here? Even stock ones? IMHO the 60 is the way to go. I truly believe that it is far more reliable and has more pure beef than a 9. The 9 IMHO, of course, is a great axle, but seems to be tempermental, kind of like a rich 19 year old girl. Great to do when she's thinking the same thing you are, but a PITA when she's not and you want some.

Edit: Too late, you got a reply in before me. Good luck, let us know how it works out.

__________________
The mountains are calling and I must go.
-John Muir

This is just my own speculation and observation, but from what I've seen out of 9's, I've seen a lot of blown cases caused by the increased gear deflection because of the angle of the pinion gear to the ring gear. Now maybe this is just with a stock case, but this has been the predominate failure that I've noted while being on this board and while browsing other places. Keep that in mind if you do go towards a 609, there's going to be money thrown into strengthening the case/pinion support, whatever.

How many 60 gearsets do we see blown to pieces here? Even stock ones? IMHO the 60 is the way to go. I truly believe that it is far more reliable and has more pure beef than a 9. The 9 IMHO, of course, is a great axle, but seems to be tempermental, kind of like a rich 19 year old girl. Great to do when she's thinking the same thing you are, but a PITA when she's not and you want some.

Edit: Too late, you got a reply in before me. Good luck, let us know how it works out.

I have also seen 9" centers fail. What I have noticed is that they are stock non "N" cases. I have never heard of a Hi9 fail.

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